Diabetic Retinopathy

Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema begins with a dilated eye exam. If necessary, our physician will order a Fluorescein Angiogram to view the blood vessels. A fluorescein angiogram is performed by injecting a dye into a vein in your arm or hand to highlight the blood vessels. As the dye flows through your bloodstream, photographs are taken of the Retina and blood vessels. This is a vital diagnostic test that provides the Physician with a view of fragile blood vessels and/or poor blood vessel circulation. An OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomography) scan of the macula is a non invasive test to show whether or not there is swelling in the retina.

Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is treated with laser. Laser treatment is performed on the abnormal blood vessels. It is important to treat these fragile blood vessels before they break and bleed into the gelatonous cavity of the eye called the vitreous. This is important to prevent further invasive surgery to remove the blood called a Vitrectomy.

Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic Macular Edema can be treated with focal or grid laser. Laser is used to treat swelling in the macula or blood vessels near the fovea. The fovea is the center most part of the macula and is responsible for the sharpest vision. A new medication, called Lucentis, is also available to treat Diabetic Macular Edema. Lucentis is a medication that blocks new abnormal blood vessel growth. Lucentis is injected into the cavity of the eye in the vitreous. Before Lucentis is injected, the eye is anesthetized and sterilized. There are some risks to the injection that include redness of the eye and elevated eye pressure. The physician will discuss the risks and benefits to you in detail prior to any treatment.

Diabetes is the Leading Cause of Blindness

It is important to have a dilated eye exam to preserve good vision and prevent severe vision loss due to Diabetic Retinopathy. The physician will perform a dilated eye examination of your eyes to diagnose and treat if necessary.